Bangladesh summons Indian acting high commissioner over airport incident

The Bangladesh government has summoned Pawan Badhe, Acting High Commissioner (Deputy High Commissioner) of India in Dhaka, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the denial of entry to Prime Minister's Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman at Delhi airport .

"The government summoned acting Indian High Commissioner Pawan Badhe on Monday and handed him a formal protest note," foreign ministry officials confirmed .

Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister's Policy and Strategy Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman was barred from entering Delhi by Indian immigration authorities. He was subjected to questioning for about two and a half hours at Indira Gandhi International Airport before returning to Dhaka via Colombo on Monday morning.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman termed the incident "unexpected and unfortunate." Speaking to journalists at the foreign ministry on Monday, he said the ministry is taking appropriate measures regarding the incident.

Sources said the Indian envoy was called in to formally convey Bangladesh's serious concern over the treatment meted out to the prime minister's adviser, who holds the rank of state minister .

The adviser had travelled to Delhi on Sunday to attend a two-day meeting of senior officials of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). After being granted entry following prolonged questioning, he refused to enter India, citing the inappropriate behaviour of immigration officials, and returned home.